Numerological Irony: Steve McPherson & Ben Silverman Out On The Same Date

Ben Silverman and Steve McPherson shared the most heated rivalry between broadcast toppers in recent years. Now, the two have something else to share: an exit date. On July 27, 2009, Silverman left NBC after a tumultuous 2-year stint. Today, July 27, 2010, McPherson departed ABC after a 6-year tenure that also got rocky in the last couple of years. Both executive changes were made on the eve of the summer TV Critics Association Press Tour. And speaking of TCA, it was almost exactly 3 years ago to the date (on July 25, 2007) when McPherson challenged Silverman to “be a man” at TCA. Boy, those two will be missed at press tour.

4 Comments

But if Steve’s out, who’s gonna be there to champion award winning programing like The Gates, Rookie Blue, No Ordinary Family, Housewives, Private Practice and that piece of garbage they cast Dana Delany in?

Former Studio president • on Jul 27, 2010 8:55 pm

Steve is a creative executive Ben is a bottom fisherman who made his career selling British hits Steve will be missed Ben got Barry Diller

DanOregon • on Jul 27, 2010 8:55 pm

While the timing might seem odd – like canning a football coach just before the season begins, it probably makes the most sense. The upfronts are locked-in, the new guy can have an impact on development for the next year. Still a bit of a surprise. It’s not like ABC is terrible, but it is lacking a one-hour drama that is on the way up instead of running out of steam.